A free short story for you!

The hardest mission one soldier would ever face would be returning home.

In the shadows of the Talionis Series, a new tale emerges, revealing the enigmatic origins of one of its most feared villains. In this riveting short story, “Shattered Ashes” unveils the haunting backstory of Laban Meritas, once a promising soldier turned into a harbinger of darkness.

Haunted by his past and consumed by bitterness, Laban descends into a world of darkness, his heart devastated by the loss that fuels his ruthless revenge. Discover the forces that shaped him, the choices that led him down a treacherous path, and the cataclysmic event that shattered his soul forever.

In this gripping tale of tragedy and transformation, Laban Meritas emerges as a complex and captivating character—a once noble soul twisted by circumstances into a dark and menacing foe. Explore the origins of one of the Talionis Series’ most formidable antagonist in “Shattered Ashes.”

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Welcome! I am THRILLED to have you here, and excited to share this free short story with you. Shattered Ashes provides a piece of the backdrop to Recruit of Talionis, and I can’t wait for you to dive in.

I would love to hear from you, and I hope you enjoy Shattered Ashes!

About C.J. Milacci

CJ Milacci seeks to take her readers on a grand adventure that begins with a single word. As a referee, she is always relearning the hard lesson that it’s impossible to make everyone happy, and she’s discovered that stories can be found anywhere, even on a lacrosse field. She is passionate about crafting stories of good overcoming evil, finding hope in the midst of seemingly hopeless circumstances, and true acceptance. Always willing to get real about hard issues, C.J. also enjoys the cheesiest of puns. She chats about writing, her faith and the hope found in Jesus, bubble tea, and other fun adventures online (@cjmilacci) and at cjmilacci.com. Read more about CJ here.